Watchmaker&#39;s hairspring tool



July 22, 1958 R. v. HALL 2,844,055

WATCHMAKER'S HAIRSPRING TOOL Filed April 10, 1956' 8 42 Rufqs V. Hall I INVENTOR.

United States Patent I 2,844,055 WATCHMAKERPS HAIRSPRING TooL Rufus V. Hall, Fayetteville, N. C.

Application April 10, 1956, Serial No. 577,290 3 Claims. c1. 81-6) This invention relates" to atool and a holder or stand therefor which, collectively considered and used, provide a highly simple but practical device through the medium of which a watchmaker may unravel twisted convolutions of a hairspring.

Briefly summarized, the part of the overall-constructionwhich constitutes the tool comprises a' simple and economical spindle having. one end of. the shank blunt and convex to function as a journal: and the other end pointed or tapered and forming not only a second journal but means on which the usual split hub or collet of the hairspring may be mounted. The holder is a substantially U-shaped member having satisfactory bearings for the journals and means for loosening and opening up the convolutions progressively for restoration to their intended original shapes.

An object of the invention is to provide a structure which functions to keep the defective convolutions in unobstructed view of the watchmakers eye at all times while the unravelling task is being undertaken.

Another feature of the invention is that there is no second operation. That is to say if a hairspring has more than one kink to be unravelled, each kink can be lifted out as it reaches the coil where the tangle is located by the watchmaker using tweezers to put the hairspring stud over or under the kinked coils, as will be understood by the experienced watchmaker.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, expedient, efficient structural means characterized by a tool and a holder therefor which, it is believed, will comply with ordinary or expected manufacturing requirements and economies of manufacturers and, what is more important, will fulfill the needs of the watchmaker and will provide for him means which will reliably serve his needs and purposes and will, at long last, enable him to overcome the perplexing difficulties which have tried his patience in the past.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts through the views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the means which has been evolved and produced and which constitutes a preferred embodiment of the concept;

Figure 2 is an exaggerated detail view on the line 22 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation with portions in section illustrating the holder or stand and showing the tool, that is the hair spring supporting and turning tool removed therefrom.

Referring now to the drawings the tool is a simple element and is denoted by the numeral 4. It is more in the nature of a spindle and has a rigid linearly straight shank 6, the lower end (Fig. 3) of which is rounded and convex at 8 to provide a lower journal. The upper end portion 10 is tapered to needle-like form and the pinnacle or point is denoted at 12 and constitutes the upper 2 ,844,055 Patented July 22, 1958 journal. The holder 01' frame for maintaining the' tool in its operative and easy-to-use state may vary in construction. Mainly, however, it is so constructed that it pro vides what is in effect a vise in which the tool 4 is supported andcapable of being turned. Inits preferred embodiment the holder is a simple portable U-sha'ped stand. It is denoted, as an entity by the numeral 14 and comprises a vertical bight portion 16 with a lateral bend 18 at the upper end supporting a horizontal arm. The arm in plan is' T-shaped and-the stem portion thereof is denoted at 20" and is cooperable with the bight portion 16 and is horizontal. and at right angles thereto. The head portion is at 22 and this is provided with a centered hole 24 which constitutes a bearing. The top surface of the head 22 provides a table upon which the free end portion of the hairspring is isolated and workable. This may be the studded end 26 of the outermost convolution 28 of the hairspring 303 The hairspring has the usual hub or split collet 32. In other words, it is a conventional hairspring and in practice the collet is fitted over the needle-like end portion 12 of the spindle as shown in' Figure 2. The lower arm of the stand or frame is denoted by the numeral 34 and there is a foot-like bend 36 at the junctional ends of the bight 16 and arm 34. Also, a stabilizing plate SS-is provided and has a central portion superimposed on and secured to the outer end portion: of the arm 34 and has its end portions 40' projecting therebcyond and functioning'as' feet. Both of the parts 34 and 38 are provided withcoacting indentations 42 and 44 which considered together provide a socket or bearing for the convex journal or lower end 8 of the spindle.

The herein disclosed tool keeps twisted and kinked portions of the coils or convolutions in perfect view of the watchmakers eye at all times while in operation. There is no second operation. If the spring has more than one kink to be unraveled, each kink can be lifted out as it reaches the coil where the kink is located by the watchmaker by using tweezers to put the hairspring stud over or under the kink. The tool has only one moving part, a vertical needle which is easily turned with thumb and forefinger in the desired direction to wind and unwind the hairspring.

Instructions for using the hairspring tool:

First, remove hairspring 30 from the balance wheel (not shown) and the punch or spindle 4 from the stand 14 (Fig. l), placing hairspring collet 32 over sharp end 12 of the spindle or punch and press the collet down with tweezers to tighten it on the punch. Second, hold punch 4 with thumb and forefinger of right hand. Grip hairspring stud in tweezers (not shown) with left hand. Lift stud 26 slightly upward to stretch the spring. Then, feed the outermost coil or convolution of hairspring atop the part 22 near the bearing hole 24. Make sure the twisted or kinked portion (not detailed) is accessible atop the part 22. Third, insert the sharp end 12 of punch in the hole 24 and bottom end 8 in countersunk hole in bottom or base. Then, turn punch in desired direction to present the convolutions one at a time for accessible checking. Use fine tweezers to put stud 26 over or under last coil or to otherwise remove twisted and tangled portions of the spring coils.

This tool has been tested and tried by a very reliable watchmaker who has had more than forty-five (45) years of experience Who certifies to me that this is the only, and most practical, tool he has ever used or seen to aid the watchmaker with the most dreadful task in watch repairing. To my own knowledge, as a watchmaker with more than ten (10) years of experience in watch repairing, I have found no other means which could in any way compare with that which is herein revealed.

The foreging is considered as illustrative only of the 3 principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, allsuitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use by a watchmaker, means for removing tangles and distorted twists from the convolutions of a hairspring comprising a portable stand having upper and lower spaced parallel arms provided with bearings, and a spindle embodying a shank having a journal at its lower end removably journaled in the lower bearing, having its upper end tapered and terminating in a needle-like point, said point constituting a second journal and being removably and rotatably mounted in the bearing in the upper arm.

2. For use by a watchmaker, means for removing kinks and distorted twists from the convolutions of a hairspring comprising a manually rotatable spindle embodying a rigid linearly straight shank, the lower end of the shank being blunt and rounded into a convex journal, the upper end being tapered to provide a needle-like journal on which the usual split collet of the hairspring is temporarily anchored and mounted, and a holder for said spindle comprising a stand embodying a U-shaped member having upper and lower arms connected by a bight portion, the outer end of the lower arm being provided with a bearing for the journal on the lower end portion of the spindle, a stabilizing member having an intermediate portion superimposed on said lower arm and end portions extended and providing supporting feet for saidstand, said upper arm being T-shaped in plan and having a head provided with a hole constituting a hearing for the journal on the upper end of the spindle and the upper surface of said head constituting a work table for the coils of the spring which are to be brought to view, unwound one-by-one and worked on, if necessary, to unravel and otherwise remove twisted portions from the coils.

3. For use by a watchmaker, means for removing distorted twists from the covolutions of a hairspring, a portable stand, a manually turnable spindle, said stand embodying a U-shaped member having upper and lower arms connected by a bight portion, the outer end of the lower arm being provided with a bearing for a cocperating journal on the lower end portion of said spindle and being further provided with stabilizing means which provides supporting feet and assists in keeping the stand erect when it is in use, the upper arm having a T-shaped portion including a head with a flat surface and provided with a hole constituting a bearing for a journal on the upper end of the spindle, the upper surface of said head being flat and functioning as a work table and enabling the user to turn the convolutions of the spring and move the same over the worktable in a manner to be inspected on-by-one and unwound or otherwise manipulated, whereby with the aid of tweezers distorted twists may be expeditiously removed.

References Cited in the file of this patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

